A quick history of Mardi Gras February 14, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, World News Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday”) is the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Musicians are pictured in a file photo playing brass instruments during the Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. (OSV News photo/Lee Celano, Reuters) In times of greater Lenten austerity in Catholic countries, Mardi Gras offered an opportunity for households to consume some foods they would not enjoy until Easter. In England, the day has been celebrated with pancakes (which use eggs, milk and sugar — items our ancestors would have foregone during Lent), while in some areas of Germany the Lenten discipline applied to strong drink as well, so the day before Ash Wednesday became a time for special revelry. Some have drawn a connection between Mardi Gras and ancient pagan festivals to welcome spring. This may certainly be true, but Catholic liturgists identify another link — namely, a time to extend celebrations of the Christmas season until the beginning of Lent. Whatever the case, certain cities around the world (Venice, Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans) have become identified with elaborate civic festivities leading up to Mardi Gras. These are usually known as “Carnival” (“Farewell to Meat”), a name that conveys the celebration’s religious, pre-Lenten character, although the events themselves (as in Venice) may commemorate military victories. Read More Lent ‘Hidden Glory’: Highlights from Bishop Varden’s meditations for papal Lenten retreat Church governance begins with holiness, not bureaucracy, Bishop Varden says at Curia retreat 12 new resources to encounter Christ this Lent 2026 Inviting pilgrims back is more than business, it’s family history, Holy Land shop owners say Stations of the Cross offered for those with mental illness How young Latino Catholics are renewing the Church this Lent Copyright © 2026 OSV News Print
